Most of us hit a wall with certain tasks. We mean to start, and we don't. This post covers why that happens and a simple technique that can help you start. Why we procrastinate Procrastination isn't always about laziness or incompetence. It can be a response to stress. Some tasks make us anxious, and putting them off gives the mind temporary relief. Seeing it that way makes it easier to stop blaming yourself. It's a way of avoiding something that feels stressful. What makes tasks stressful Tasks that feel negative, boring, or complicated can trigger that stress. If you can name what's making a task feel bad, you can deal with that directly, instead of just pushing yourself harder. The 5-second rule When you feel the urge to put something off, count down from 5 and start right away. The idea is that the countdown gets you moving before you have time to overthink and talk yourself out of it. Try it with a call you've been avoiding, a piece of writing, or a workout. Wh...